Rafa hopeful over Javier fitness

Rafael Benitez is hopeful Javier Mascherano will be fit for next weekend's showdown with Chelsea after the midfielder was ruled out of Tuesday's Champions League clash in Florence with a hamstring injury.

The Spaniard revealed that the Argentina skipper missed this morning's flight to Tuscany as a result of a problem he picked up during a recent training session, but is confident the Reds have the personnel available to cope against La Viola.
 
"He was shooting in training and felt something in his hamstring," Benitez told his pre-match press conference. "He went to see the doctor straight away and we found he had a small problem in his hamstring.
 
"It could be two or three days, but we are not sure.
 
"It is not a problem because I think we can manage with Stevie or another player. To lose a player like Javier is not good. But we will find solutions, whether it is with Gerrard or someone else."
 
Ahead of the clash Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has heaped praise on Benitez, describing him as a 'role model'.
 
The Reds boss admits he is flattered by such comments and was eager to repay the compliment.
 
"First of all, I'd like to say thank you to Mr Prandelli.
 
"He has done a very good job. I was watching some games and they have been doing very well. They are well organised and know what to do; how to attack and defend.
 
"They are in a good position now, but I think they can do better. To be in the Champions League is a big success for them and hopefully it will be the same this year."
 
Asked about Fernando Torres' current form and whether he is the best striker in the world, Benitez said: "I think Fernando is a very good striker and he is scoring goals now. He is on fire.
 
"But the Champions League is different to the Premier League, so we will see. He is one of our key players and hopefully he will be one of our key players tomorrow night.
 
He added: "He is a great striker but when we talk about all these great strikers like Ibrahimovic and Eto'o it depends on the weekend, because one week, one is in form and two weeks later it is someone else.
 
"I just think they are all great strikers."
 
Torres' hot-streak has been a major factor in Liverpool's recent winning run.
 
Benitez has been pleased with his side's attacking threat of late and is confident they will soon complement that with a return to their defensive best.
 
"We are winning and creating chances, so when you are attacking and attacking, sometimes you have problems in defence," he said. "We need to find the balance and we will try to improve.
 
"We are good enough in attack but can improve in defence and that's something we will try to manage in the next two or three weeks and try to get more clean sheets."